Holly Dean Mixed Media Paintings | Peruse, read about and collect my Recent Work.

Page last updated: 12-02-22

Through the Looking Glass

My recent work is influenced by the fantasy genre. While story, myth and legend have long been the catalyst in my work, the ascendancy of the fantasy realm into popular culture has set fire to my imagination. The sumptuous worlds created in film productions such as Alice in Wonderland and Lord of The Rings heighten my experience of the stories and summon up my creative muse.

I am inspired by writers as well as artists. Fantasy storyteller Neil Gaiman makes the ordinary extraordinary with his brilliant use of imagination, words and wit. He creates worlds where wonder is an everyday occurrence; where tales of darkness always have a lighter side. Artist Dave McKean uses photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and digital manipulation to create his darkly enigmatic images. While often disturbing, his work is strangely beautiful. I find this paradox intriguing.

I have adopted a multi-faceted approach to creating, bringing new techniques and media into play. I take images daily with my iPhone camera, experimenting with unusual angles and capturing reflections in old windowpanes. This wondrous device has opened up a world of possibilities for me. I explore new ways of seeing my photography through a myriad of filter combinations. A few of these altered images became collage and transfer elements in Arcanum, enhancing the fantasy feel of this painting.

The Crownless Again Shall Be King started with paint being applied randomly to the canvas. In this abstract surface, I perceived an ephemeral horse and rider galloping across a landscape and brought them to life through drawing, painting and collage. In Weaveworld, I digitally layered and manipulated photographs, composing a dream-like image which was printed onto canvas and embellished with machine stitching. A strip of vintage table-cloth, a scrap of antique linen and a shard of found metal were integrated into the piece.

As I get older, I am experiencing profound events in my life. The world seems a little darker than it used to be. Deeper meanings are embedded in the mixed media layers of my art. My work is evolving as my life unfolds, but my expression of hope and beauty persists.

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Check out author Neil Gaiman's blog here

Check out artist Dave McKean's art here

mixed media paintings, book art, sculpture & altered images

"The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before." ~Neil Gaiman

RECENT WORK